Work Text:
Alhaitham was finally back from his one month exploration in the desert ruins as part of a mandatory event for alumnis of Haravatat to guide new students. On his way to his work station at the House of Daena, he senses that something was slightly off. It was more of a hunch, sharpened by the repeated daily happenings he always observed--the people there, mainly the mahamatras, are somewhat restless. He tried to brush it off as not part of his job, knowing Cyno would not be welcoming his interference and him also believing in the capabilities of General Mahamatra.
The next day, however, it became worse as his tranquil life was breached by the mahamatras. It was a simple request, actually. They needed him to help them on a smuggling case. His eyebrows curved, annointing both annoyance and confusion. Before Alhaitham spoke to ask about the sudden incompetence of the General Mahamatra to finish his line of job, the young mahamatra informed him of their leader's absence to recover, for three consecutive weeks that led to the disarray of the mahamatras.
Alhaitham is an adept investigator because of his attentiveness, and he, in shock of the news, calculated the worst in mere seconds. On the outside, he remained undeterred, placing his hand on his mouth as if thinking hard. On the inside, he was slightly panicked. It's THE General Mahamatra we're talking about--for him to be decommissioned for three weeks is no joke. The injury he sustained this time must be of a serious degree. He glanced at the mahamatra in front of him, let out a big sigh before asking the details of the smuggling case and what he can assist with.
It was quite rather easy, handling the smuggling case. The mahamatras had identified the culprit and the smuggled goods' lair even before he joined. He thought that this is ridiculous, for this is surely nothing hard for the mahamatras to conquer. He kept it in his mind, however, since the mahamatras had informed him that Cyno insisted on seeking Alhaitham's help instead of anyone else. There must be something huge going on that only Cyno is aware of.
Upon reaching the latest scene, Alhaitham managed find and follow Cyno's fresh trails from his tacit understanding of his reckless and bold personality. Well, Cyno also left quite easily spotted elemental marks here and there. There was one clue in the shape of a literal piece of paper that asks him to walk faster. Alhaitham couldn't help but wonder why the General Mahamatra is not in Avidya Forest to recover, like he had been informed.
Upon reaching to destinated location--the lair of the culprit--Alhaitham ordered the mahamatras to keep guard around it as he entered with two of the mahamatras to be more discreet. Things in the lair looked obviously chaotic, as if a great war had been waged. Tons of dead bodies scatter, a lot of it was ripped apart and some dismembered like it was rammed by a wild animal. Alhaitham showed no emotion towards the horror, while the two mahamatras flinched the first time they saw the bloody mess. He understood the degree of this case and raised his alertness, clutching his weapon ready.
When he enters what he believed to be the heart of the lair, he is surprised by what he sees: in front of him, there is a fresh pool of blood. The amount is too much, that he knew if this was a normal human they would've dropped dead from blood loss in less than a day. At the corner of his eyes, he saw Cyno, head half buried in the sand, blood decorating his entirety. Alhaitham scanned the area, declaring it safe before rushing to aid his friend.
He cautiously turned the dying mahamatra's back and checked his pulse, while the two mahamatras continued with the investigation, leaving the two behind. Alhaitham lightly hits Cyno's pale face a few times until Cyno regained what little consciousness he had, spitting out the sand in his mouth.
"Why are you here?" was the first thing Alhaitham asked.
"...took you so long, Scribe."
Alhaitham shot a glare at the mahamatra, demanding an explanation. Interrupted, Cyno suddenly puked more blood. This snapped Alhaitham out of it. He stopped his frustration and focused on giving first aid to his friend's dire wounds. Soon after, he heard running steps, and he took guard only to be met with an out-of-breath Tighnari.
"Huff.... You.... you BIG LUMMOX!" he shouted before gasping for air.
"Ah.. Alhaitham, let me pass out." Cyno quickly closed his eyes.
Upon seeing Alhaitham clutching a miserable-looking Cyno, the Avidya Ranger stopped letting his temper run loose. Still catching his breath, he looked at the Scribe for an explanation.
Alhaitham was no inefficient man. There was no way he'd be this reserved in such situation. Even he knows that Cyno would not appreciate him tending to his injuries but leaving the culprit a chance to escape. The focus of this mission is to get the end of the case after all. Alhaitham walked away from Cyno who is currently faking his unconsciousness, but Tighnari pleaded him to carry the injured lummox as he had exhausted himself during his abrupt journey from Avidya Forest, chasing after Cyno.
Alhaitham does not need to give any explanation to Tighnari, but instead he let him see what is happening at the end of the lair. They opened a half-opened secret backdoor and soon after, got out of the lair and back to the vast desert. The mahamatras are currently fighting against a hideous monster.
"That's our culprit," Alhaitham said nonchalantly. "It seems that the mahamatras are having a hard time, shall we leave them be, General?"
Cyno grunts as Alhaitham exposes his fake unconsciousness, then struggled from his position a few times and Alhaitham regarded it as him wanting to walk by himself. Tighnari is out of words.
"Are you sure you're in shape for a fight?"
"Well, I'd better be. It would be such a shame on my honour to be protected by a Scribe. That's not going to leave a good impression on my underlings."
Cyno told the mahamatras to go back, while he and Alhaitham took their attacking position. Tighnari adapted and he swiftly made his way to tend to the wounded.
[Alrauni, your prince is here.]
Cyno suddenly spoke in another language not known to the ears of the common, that is, except for Alhaitham.
"Ancient language?", Alhaitham thought to himself. He quietly observed.
[Alrauni. Stop this.]
The vicious man-beast turns its attention to Cyno and it screeched.
[You are not my prince! You attacked me!]
[That was..] Cyno was a bit lost for words. Alhaitham pondered, he must've taken a wrong step before.
[That was the spirit of the Hermanubis, Alrauni. It took over me. Now I'm myself.]
[Lies!] it screeched louder, delivering a blow. Cyno and Alhaitham dodged rather swiftly, one to the left and the other to the right. After a few punches, it is clear that the monster is focusing its attacks on Cyno. It is also made clear that Cyno intended to talk his way out of this situation instead of engaging in a fight. However ...
[Listen, Alrauni. I'm not your en-----]
Before Cyno finishes, he suddenly vommitted blood in an alarming amount and fell onto his knees. The monster sent a blow but Alhaitham stood in between them, blocking the attack. Tighnari with his quick feet, swooped Cyno away from the battlefield.
"He reached his limit, Alhaitham!" Tighnari shouted in distress, "We're counting on you!"
With the amount of information that Alhaitham has gathered, he at this moment had came to understood a lot of things:
One, that Cyno knew ancient knowledge to an astonishing degree.
Two, that Cyno is enacting a scene of the legend "Alrauni's Revenge" where Alrauni, a beautiful girl with superficial powers, enacted a wipeout of an entire kingdom as an act of revenge from them killing her beloved prince. Alhaitham thought that maybe Cyno tried to be the prince and tell her he is not dead so she would stop her rampage.
Three, that the smuggled goods contains forbidden knowledge, one of which is exactly the data regarding Alrauni's Revenge. This culprit must've used it on their Akasha to enable power but it doesn't end well for them.
Four, that Cyno must've requested for him as he is the only Haravatat he'd trust to have knowledge of the ancient language, which he does. To add it, he knows the legend of Alrauni in its entirety.
He brushed off his worry for Cyno and focused on the enemy right in front of him. He worked his brain cells to find the best path to take.
After what seems to be two and a half second, Alhaitham opened his mouth,
[You're right, Alrauni. Your prince is already dead.]
The monster was fully angered by his words, raising old painful memories. It shifted its focus towards the Scribe.
[Do you not remember?]
The monster swung its claws to dig in Alhaitham's body, but he dodged and dodged. Alhaitham went on full defense this time. He continued,
[Alrauni, Oh Alrauni
So this is how you escape
From the past you've destroyed?]
He leapt a few times and managed to land a couple strikes on the monster while also receiving some blows on his end. Alhaitham kept going with his provokation,
[As they once said
You truly are despicable
A despicable woman.]
Those words finally ticked a nerve on the monster. It shrieked with a violent hatred towards Alhaitham,
[You are just like them!
Heartless.. monsters..
My love, he did nothing wrong
But you.. I will kill you!]
Alhaitham managed to get a quick look at Tighnari giving first aid to Cyno. He decided that he has stalled enough time.
[You are blind to the truth
Pinning us the blame
Did you not remember?
Or are you afraid to accept it?
That you are the reason
For his early death]
The monster, at those words, became even more violent. It shrieked and threw attacks to all directions with deadly speed and power. It was similar to a tantrum... but not as childlike. The mahamatras who kept an eye on the battle had chills on their bones.
[No! You're wrong!
It wasn't me!
IT'S NOT MY FAULT!!]
With it having inner turmoil, its attacks are getting easier to predict, although it is much more difficult to block. Alhaitham carefully waited for the perfect time window before taking his chance to attack. He delivered a blow with clean precision on its abdomen. He deeply wounded the monster and it was quickly subdued thereafter. The attack was one that striked a vital point but it will not result in death--albeit he is so eager to end its life, it would only mean tainting Cyno's efforts; after all, if Cyno wanted it dead he would've done it way back.
The effect on the Akasha ran out and it blinked back to green before shattering into pieces and dissolving into the air. The remaining mahamatras are quick to split up into apprehending the culprit, securing the other smuggled goods, and helping Tighnari carry the wounded ones. Alhaitham took the courtesy to pick up the now-truly-unconscious Cyno. As it was too far for them to go back to Avidya Forest nor Akademiya, they decided to rest in Aaru Village.
Candace as the chief of Aaru Village was in shock upon laying her eyes at Cyno, who was distinguishable from his usual self. He was laid bare, wounded from top to bottom, skin pale and cold, and his breathing jagged. Blood both dried and fresh enveloped him, and his red eyes are dimming at a rapid face. For someone with the status of General Mahamatra, to be in such a state, is nothing short of terrifying. She can’t even dare to imagine what the group had gone through.
Candace helped Tighnari out, and gave the group a place to rest. Extra care was given to Cyno who is put in a separate room from the others. He was at the brink of death, quoted from Tighnari. The adept ranger even had Alhaitham press unto Cyno's wounds for more than two hours during his emergency surgery, and made Candace his impromptu assistant.
After the surgery was successful, Tighnari sent everyone to clean up after themselves. Of course, Tighnari had checked up on Alhaitham too, and fortunately he suffered minor injuries.
Alhaitham went to the bathroom to clean up, and he stared at the mirror. His hands were painted red, and his cloak dirtied with blood stains. His figure looked exhausted. He recounted the events that had transpired, and muttered to himself, "He had lost so much blood..", clenching his fists. The mirror potrayed his grim face as he leaves.
It was past midnight when things went quiet. Tighnari had left the premises with a few men under Candace, going back to Avidya Forest to secure more herbs. On the other hand, the uninjured mahamatras ventured back to Akademiya with the culprit dosed with tranquilliser. After all, time was of the essence. Alhaitham wanted to return to report this incident, but his conscience left him quietly waiting beside Cyno's bed instead.
He appeared unfazed on the surface, and the glistening moonlight reflected his cold demeanour. He had his piercing gaze fixated on the sleeping General. Anyone who sees him right now would think that the Scribe is heartless.
Now that he is unbothered by any external situations, in the secluded space, he leaned closer and relaxed his stature. He observed the meticulate handiwork of the ranger that had sewn most of his open injuries quite neatly. Next, he brushed off the white hair that had been carefully cleaned from sand by the hands of Candace. Then, he touched Cyno's bandaged shoulder tenderly. This shoulder, he would always see it from behind, unscatched from perils and brimming with confidence. Cyno was indeed powerful, that the Scribe agrees, and more so it escalates the feeling he harbours at the moment---the feeling of fear. His senses are drowned in the fear of loss once more, the same he once experienced when he lost his grandmother.
Only when Alhaitham had access to this level of privacy, did he let himself show his repressed emotions. He trembled at the thought of his friend dying if he had arrived too late. All the probabilities that may have happened made him shudder.
When Alhaitham came back to his senses, he realised he had been gripping Cyno's hand. Cyno had also been responding to his grip, slightly moving his fingers. The injured mahamatra tried to move his mouth to speak, but to no avail. He was too weak to do anything but breathe.
"I'm here. Everything's ended well."
Cyno blankly stared at the Scribe.
"Rest. You've done enough, Cyno." Alhaitham continued as he displayed a rare kind expression. Cyno's pupils started to slowly hover left and right, as if looking for someone.
"..That monster," Alhaitham said assuringly, "I didn't kill."
After hearing those words, Cyno closed his eyes and went back unconscious. This time, his breathing paced evenly, as if telling Alhaitham that he is alright.
Cyno did not wake up again for days. Tighnari had made Alhaitham, who is surprisingly willing, tend to Cyno. It was not easy. With Cyno not waking up at all means he does not allow his muscles to move, and that would be dangerous if left like so. Alhaitham took the effort of massaging his legs and hands. Tighnari also made sure Alhaitham knew how and when to inject the food solution to Cyno to keep him from dehydration and lack of nutrients. After a while, they transported Cyno back to Avidya Forest so that Tighnari could have better care for him, which Alhaitham agreed. After two weeks, Alhaitham decided to make time to help settle the case. He came back early in the morning the day after, quite haggard from lack of sleep.
Upon his return, he was horrified by what he had seen---the patient was nowhere in the room. He rushed outside, took three strides and one turn to the left, on his way to the ranger's main hut. However, after he made the left turn, he saw Cyno leaning against the exterior wall of the hut he was previously in. Alhaitham with full force grabbed Cyno by his hand,
"Cyno, are you.. alright?"
"Better than you, at least." Cyno slightly smiled, looking at the dishevelled Scribe with black under his eyes.
Alhaitham took none of his teasing this time and dropped his head to Cyno's shoulder while still holding his hand.
"Don't scare me like that." he said in a very serious yet defenseless tone.
Realising the Scribe's feeling, Cyno stopped his teasing and patted Alhaitham on his back. The two said nothing more and were greeted with a moment of silence.
After he had calmed down, Alhaitham raises his head and went back to his usual demeanour, albeit Cyno had already seen through his attempted poor facade. "You should return to the hut or you'll give Tighnari a heart attack like you did to me," he said coldly. Cyno sighed imagining the scolding he would take, and then extended his arms.
"What?" Alhaitham asked.
"Well?" Cyno emphasised his hand movements, signalling Alhaitham to carry him back.
"Didn't you walk all the way here?"
"No. I flew. Now I can't. Come on Scribe, don't bully an injured person."
Alhaitham carried him back, and Cyno sat down just in time. Tighnari comes over and upon seeing Cyno conscious, walks up to him and flicks his forehead.
It took a solid hour of time for Tighnari to scold the heck out of Cyno. Alhaitham had already been informed of what had happened during the three weeks of Cyno's absence, when he was tending to Cyno. He sat there listening to the rambles of Tighnari again, also a bit furious at the General's lack of thinking.
Cyno during the time he was working on the smuggling case, had been injured from a surprise attack by another wrongdoer from a different case. He had to cancel his undercover plan to get treated first while the other mahamatras kept an eye out for the culprit's movements to get the information of the lair. The injury he had sustained from the surprise attack was unusual, as it contained poison that blocked the natural workflow of the blood, unabling it to clot and close the wound, therefore resulting in extremely slow recovery. When Alhaitham had returned to the House of Daena, Tighnari suggested letting him take over the case so he could rest. Cyno pondered but eventually after a day, agreed to ask for his help. Tighnari left Cyno for three hours to do his night patrol, and came back to see him not in bed, and that he had taken three bottles of pain resistance potion and one roll of bandage. Since Tighnari had been informed of the case from Cyno's mouth, it didn't take long for the avid ranger to find out his runaway patient's destination. On his way, riding on a Sumpter Beast, he prayed that Alhaitham would manage to get to Cyno or that he himself may arrive in time. He also cursed Cyno, saying that he was becoming reckless again.
Back to the present, after giving Cyno an earful, Tighnari called in Collei to prepare a nutritious dish for Cyno and a delicious dish for Alhaitham to thank his contributions. Alhaitham got a nicely made Pita dish, while Cyno was forced to gulp down bland medicine soup.
During the afternoon, Cyno wanted to take a bath but his movement of trying to undress ripped one part of his wound and it started to bleed again. That made Tighnari and Alhaitham both worried and angry. At this point, Tighnari is already aware of Alhaitham's special treatment towards Cyno and therefor made him do all the tending and cleaning (as this will also greatly remove some weight from Tighnari's shoulders). The poison that stirs in Cyno's blood was very consistent, not depleting out of his system even after two weeks. It made Cyno vomit blood from time to time, or just accidentally bleeding from his mouth at random times.
The time had passed to four weeks of absence for General Mahamatra, but he still had not fully healed. Tighnari even took a couple samples of Cyno's blood and brought it to the Amurtas in Akademiya for them to analyse. If this poison is left unattended for too long, it may develop into a dangerous bio weapon. I mean look, it even rendered Cyno out for four weeks and possibly more. What would happen with a civilian? Or one with an illness to begin with? The jenius ranger can barely imagine.
Alhaitham was not able to tend to Cyno for too long, too. He had work piled up in his own office, and the additional papers from the Alrauni case had not been fully settled. He also had been secretly investigating with the mahamatras on the person or organisation who had injected the poison that weakened Cyno.
Collei replaced Alhaitham for clean up and tending duty during the weekdays. On weekends, Alhaitham would try to take over, and if he couldn't, Tighnari would. Cyno had especially asked for the three of them (and Candace, through letter) to keep quiet about his condition. He feared that once the information is out that the General is currently in a state of prolonged injury, unfriendly parties may use the opportunity to attack him. Alas, as a judicator of justice, he can't avoid making enemies.
Cyno's precaution was right. There have been three disruptions in the fifth week, escalating to seven in the sixth week after one of the attackers confirmed Cyno's absence in joining the fight to be the indicator of the intel's truth.
It was during one of the battles that took place, that one of the attackers did manage to enter Cyno's premises without any of his friends realising it. A loud crash was heard and Alhaitham, who had just arrived to aid in the battle, rushed towards the hut in question like it was the end of the world. Tighnari wanted to check out the sound as well but was hindered by some rogues.
Alhaitham had a sense of dejavu. The hut was smeared with fresh blood, and Cyno was lying face down with blood all over. This time, Cyno was still conscious, and he looked at Alhaitham, telling him to chase after the attacker. Alhaitham looked back and forth, before clenching his teeth and running to capture the one who injured his ... his beloved.
This time Alhaitham really had no more mercy available. With his agile feet, he caught up to the attacker in no time. He threw his weapon straight and it stabbed the right calf. The attacker fell down, attempting to throw poisonous daggers but Alhaitham at that moment had teleported and emerged with a second blade, cutting both hands of the perpetrator. He screamed in agony, but Alhaitham stood eerily still. He took his first thrown blade from the calf, and quickly threw it dangerously close to the enemy's face. Scared for his life, he spilled everything, and as soon as backup from Alhaitham's side emerged, he left the area and rushed back to Cyno. The people who looked at him would definitely agree that this is the scariest they've seen of Alhaitham.
Upon returning to the hut, Cyno was still in the same place, but this time with his eyes closed. Worried for the worst, Alhaitham flipped him back, just like he did before. He checked his pulse, and it was faint. He tried to wake up Cyno, but he did not wake up. Absolutely in a messy state of feelings, Alhaitham clutched his bloodied friend... no... dearly beloved.. to his arms ever so tightly.
"Wake up. Cyno." he pleaded. He rocked back and forth, with his hands trembling and his entirety falling apart.
Tighnari came over and was quick to realize what had happened. He ran back outside seemingly to find a first aid kit, or a miracle.
Alhaitham's torso became warm with blood, once again reminding him of what had previously occurred barely two months ago.
.
.
..
…
"Cough...uggh.."
"Cyno? Cyno?" Alhaitham muttered his name multiple times and every time the General replied with a small 'mhm'. With his trembling left hand, he hugged the General's back, and his right hand grasping his head. He no longer cared for the others who entered the room. He hugged and hugged. Tighnari, who had arrived shortly after, gave him brief 3 minutes before he was intercepted.
"Alhaitham, he needs medical attention."
Alhaitham nodded but he did not give him to Tighnari. Having tended to Cyno for weeks made him especially aware of the location of his bruises and wounds, and so he quickly gave a look at Cyno himself.
"Oh..no. Wait. Listen." Cyno said, "Don't worry, my injuries are nothing major."
Tighnari and Alhaitham looked at the blood all over Cyno and made a face of pure disbelief.
Cyno continued, "This (blood) is indeed mine but.. look." Cyno paused and looked at Alhaitham, "Scribe. Hands off please. Otherwise I can't get up."
Alhaitham has been holding both of Cyno's hands like he would disappear the moment he lets go, all this time.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Getting up."
"Really? Can you do that in this state?"
"I told you I'm fine."
"I recall last time you said that, you ended up unconscious."
"...."
Cyno looked at Tighnari for help. The Avidya Ranged sighed as he informed Alhaitham to let him do what he wants, and only then did Alhaitham help him stand on his feet.
Cyno explained, "He entered this room and attacked me but I was still having the upper hand."
Cyno wiped his mouth from blood with Alhaitham's cloak,
"It took me one straight blow to his face for him to run away scared like a cat. Scaredy-cat, hah!"
"Then why are you slumped on the floor." Alhaitham asked, not nicely, as he stopped Cyno from using his cloak by holding his hand and gestures Tighnari to give him clean cloth.
"I tried to chase after the attacker, but then tripped from my own blood. I didn't realize that my previous attack movement is enough to rip my old wounds again....but anyway, my attempt was all in vein. Get it? Vein as in-"
Instead of using the cloth he had gotten from Tighnari, Alhaitham used his mouth to peck away the blood out of annoyance. Cyno abruptly stopped talking, face full of surprise. Tighnari let out a 'thanks' to Alhaitham.
Alhaitham, hands still holding onto Cyno's for dear life, looked at Tighnari, "He does appear to be fine."
"Yes. But due to the gravity of the situation, it's best we change his recovery place to something more secure."
"I agree. At least until he stops vomitting blood."
"Yes. Perhaps closer to Akademiya."
“Hmm..”
"Perhaps, that place." The ranger gave a forward nod gesture to the Scribe.
"That place seemed best."
"Yes, indeed."
Amidst the two scholars conversing, Cyno was left speechless with the sudden gesture coming from the Scribe.
Collei entered the hut. Before she can ask if there's anything she can help with, Tighnari instructed her to pack bags and make preparations to move Cyno.
"Where to, master?"
"My house." Alhaitham responded.
END.?